[Herpetology • 2026] Ovophis medogensis • A New Species of the Genus Ovophis (Serpentes: Viperidae) from Xizang, China

 Ovophis medogensis 

 Liao, Shi, Luo, Huang, Lin, Giri & Wang, 2026

墨脱烙铁头蛇  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2025.0067

Abstract

In 1981, Hoge & Romano-Hoge (1981) erected the genus Ovophis, one of the most widely distributed snake groups in Asia. Its distribution ranges westward from eastern Asia to Nepal, encompassing the entire East Asia and the Indochinese Peninsula. During recent herpetological surveys conducted near Medog County, Xizang Autonomous Region, China, a previously undescribed snake species was discovered. Based on integrated morphological and molecular evidence, this species is herein described as a new taxon: Ovophis medogensis sp. nov. This new species can be distinguished from all its congeners by the following combination of characters: possesses off-white spots on the ventral surface; lacks irregular markings on the dorsal surface of the head; body short and stout, with a brown dorsal ground color bearing 19-20 irregular black butterfly-shaped blotches; presence of a brownish-orange postorbital stripe; vertically elliptical pupil, brownish-black in color; dorsal surface of the tail with white dots extending to the tail tip; infralabials: 11 (12)/11 (10); the first and second pairs of infralabials in contact with chin shields; supralabials: mostly 8, occasionally 9; ventrals: 132-138; subcaudals: 39-49, mostly paired; dorsal scale rows 23-23-19; Molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed that the new species forms a well-supported distinct lineage, with a Bayesian posterior probability (BPP) of 1.00 and an ultrafast bootstrap (UFB) value of 100. Analyses of uncorrected pairwise genetic distances based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cyt b) gene showed that the genetic distances between the new species and other known species of the genus Ovophis range from 0.055 (vs. Ovophis monticola) to 0.135 (vs. Ovophis tonkinensis). The discovery of this new species further enhances our understanding of biodiversity in the eastern Himalayas and provides valuable insights into the taxonomy and evolutionary relationships of the genus.

Keywords: Medog, Cryptic diversity, Ovophis medogensis sp. nov., pit-viper, Eastern Himalayas

Photographs of individuals of  Ovophis medogensis sp. nov. (CIB 122660) in life.
Full view (A), dorsal view of head (B), left lateral view of head (C), and right lateral view of head (D).

Photographed by Shengchao SHI. 

The holotype (Adult male, specimen No. CIB 122661) of Ovophis medogensis sp. nov. in preservation.
Dorsal view of the body (A); ventral view of the body (B); dorsal view of the head (C); ventral view of the head (D); dorsal view of the midbody (E); right lateral view of the head (F); left lateral view of the head (G); ventral view of the midbody (H); lateral view of the midbody (I); dorsal view of the tail (J).

Photographed by Dihao WU.

Ovophis medogensis sp. nov. Liao, Shi, Luo, Huang, Lin, Rohit and Wang  

Diagnosis: A medium-sized species of Ovophis characterized by the following combination of characters: tail length to total length (TaL/TL) ratio 0.179–0.181 (N=4); internasal scales undivided or separated by 1 scale; second supralabial bordering the loreal pit; dorsal scale rows (DSR) 23(25)–23–19 (N=4); ventrals scales (VEN) 132–138 (N=4), bearing strong keels along the dorsal region; subcaudals scales (SC) 39–49 (N=4), mostly paired with occasional single undivided scales; third supralabial distinctly larger than the fourth (N=4); dorsal surface of the head lacking distinct markings; postocular region to neck with orange-red coloration; neck marked by two approximately parallel stripes; dorsal body brownish-yellow with irregular black, butterfly-shaped blotches; and dorsal surface of the tail or named with a continuous series of white spots.

Comparison of live morphologies of genus Ovophis from the Eastern Himalayan Region. Includes the following specimens: (A1–A3) O . monticola, (B1–B3) O. medogensis sp. nov., and (C1–C3) O. zayuensis.
O . monticola: A1 is one adult individual from Chhaimale, Nepal; A2 is one adult male individual from Majua, West Bengal, India; A3 is one adult male individual from Mangan, Sikkim, India;
O. medogensis sp. nov.: B1 is one juvenile individual from Medog, Xizang, China; B2 is one adult female individual from Medog, Xizang, China; B3 is one adult male individual from Medog, Xizang, China;
O. zayuensis: C1 is one adult female individual from Medog, Xizang, China; C2 is one adult male individual from Medog, Xizang, China; and C3 is one adult male individual from Medog, Xizang, China.

Photographic credits: (A1) photographed by Rohit GIRI; (A2, A3) photographed by Prajjwal RAY. (A2, A3) cited from the iNaturalist.org occurrence dataset (https://doi.org/10.15468/ab3s5x) via GBIF.org, used under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), with record numbers: A2 No. 248018996 and A3 No. 423862755. (B1, B2, C2, C3) photographed by Shengchao SHI, (B3) photographed by Zhonghao LUO, and (C1) photographed by Dihao WU.

Type locality habitat of Ovophis medogensis sp. nov. in Beibeng Township, Medog County, Xizang Autonomous Region, China.
A: Microhabitat; B: Overall habitat.

Photographed by Linghong LIAO. 

Etymology: The specific epithet medogensis refers to Medog County, the type locality of this species, and is chosen in recognition of the region’s exceptional herpetological diversity, which has facilitated the discovery of this new taxon. The proposed Chinese common name is “墨脱烙铁头蛇” (Mòtuō Làotiětóu Shé), directly derived from the type locality. The English common name is proposed as “Medog Pitviper”.

Linghong LIAO, Shengchao Shi, Zhonghao Luo, Yun Huang, Yiheng Lin, Rohit Giri and Bin Wang. 2026. A New Species of the Genus Ovophis Burger in Hoge & Romano-Hoge, 1981 (Serpentes, Viperidae) from Xizang, China. Asian Herpetological Research. DOI: doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2025.0067 [May 9, 2026]

[Herpetology • 2026] Oreolalax wumengmontis • A New Species of Oreolalax Myers & Leviton, 1962 (Anura:, Megophryidae) from Northeast Yunnan, China

Oreolalax wumengmontis 

X. Li, Z. Li, Jiahan, Liu, Y. Zhang, P. Li, W. Zhang, F. Li, Huang, X. Li & Yuan. 2026

  

DOI: doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2026.0014 

Abstract

Based on molecular phylogenetic analyses and morphological features, a new species of the genus Oreolalax Myers & Leviton, 1962 (Anura: Megophryidae) is described from Yunnan Province, China. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial 16S rRNA and COI gene sequences indicate that the new species forms an independent clade closely related to Oreolalax omeimontis. The genetic distance between these two taxa was 11.25% based on 16S gene, and 17.61% based on COI. The new species can be distinguished from all other congeneric species by a combination of the following characteristics: (1) moderate body size (SVL of male 49.5–53.0 mm, n=2; female 46.6 mm, n=1); (2) tympanums hidden or slightly visible; (3) absence of vocal sac; (4) rudimentary interdigital toe webbing; (5) narrow lateral fringes; (6) tibiotarsal articulation reaching between the eye and nostril when leg stretched; (7) heel only contact when limbs held at right angles to body; (8) femoral glands large and distinct; (9) abdomen with distinct cloudy spots; (10) male dorsum covered in large and small tubercles, and (11) a dark triangular marking between the eyes.

Keywords: new species, taxonomy, Wumeng Mountain, molecular phylogenetic analyses 

The adult male holotype of Oreolalax wumengmontis sp. nov. (SWU 0005760) in life:
(A) Dorsal view, (B) ventral view, (C) side view, (D) cloacal area, (E) dorsal and ventral view of left hand, and (F) ventral and dorsal of right foot.

Photos by Xianqi Li.

 

Habitats of Oreolalax wumengmontis sp. nov. in the Wumeng Mountain National Nature Reserve.
(A) landscape of subtropical evergreen broadleaved forests habitat, (B) breeding habitat,
(C) O. wumengmontis sp. nov. in the wild SWU 0007062, (D) egg clusters adhere to the bottom of the rock.

Photos by Xiaolong Liu (A, C) and Zengxin Li (B, D).

Oreolalax wumengmontis sp. nov.

 

Xianqi Li, Zengxin Li, Bizula Jiahan, Xiaolong Liu, Yinpeng Zhang, Pengying Li, Wei Zhang, Feiqiao Li, Junkai Huang, Xu Li and Zhiyong Yuan. 2026. A New Species of Oreolalax Myers & Leviton, 1962 (Anura, Megophryidae) from Northeast Yunnan, China. Asian Herpetological Research. DOI: doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2026.0014 [Mar 18, 2026]

[Herpetology • 2025] Quasipaa yunkaiensis • A New Species of the Genus Quasipaa (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from Guangdong, China

Quasipaa yunkaiensis  

Qi, Lyu,  Song, Wang, Z. Li, Y. Li & Wang, 2025

云开棘蛙  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2025.0031 

Abstract

We herein describe a new species of spiny frog, Quasipaa yunkaiensis sp. nov. from Yunkaishan National Nature Reserve, Xinyi City, Guangdong Province, China. Morphological examination combined with mitochondrial (810 bp Cyt b) and nuclear (1 852 bp concatenated Rag2, Tyr, and Rhod) genetic data was used to test its distinctiveness within Quasipaa. Morphologically, the new species differs from other congeners by the following diagnostic characteristics: relatively large body size within Quasipaa; dorsal skin relatively smooth, having sparse tubercles; lacking spiny tubercles on the ventrolateral sides of the body; lacking keratinized spines in the ventral surface of the body, only present on prepollex, fingers I and II, in breeding males. Both mitochondrial and nuclear phylogenetic results indicate that Quasipaa yunkaiensis sp. nov. constitutes a highly supported, deeply divergent lineage, but its precise phylogenetic placement within the genus Quasipaa remains unresolved. In view of the pronounced discordance between mitochondrial and nuclear datasets within Quasipaa, we encourage future studies to use genome-wide data to improve phylogenetic resolution and to estimate species diversity more accurately.

 Keywords: mito-nuclear discordance, Paini, Quasipaa yunkaiensis sp. nov., spiny frog, taxonomy

Quasipaa yunkaiensis sp. nov. in situ.
(A) holotype, SYS a008351, (B) paratype, SYS a008350.

Photos by Jian WANG.

The male holotype of Quasipaa yunkaiensis sp. nov. (SYS a008351) in life:
 (A) dorsolateral view, (B) dorsal view, (C) ventral view.

Photos by Shuo QI.

Quasipaa yunkaiensis sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Quasipaa yunkaiensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from all other congeners by the combination of the following morphological characters: (1) body size large, SVL 89.1–113.8 mm in adult males (n = 2) and 95.7 mm in adult female (n = 1); (2) dorsal skin relatively smooth, with sparse tubercles; (3) without spiny tubercles on ventrolateral sides of body; (4) tympanum indistinct, margin blurred; (5) absence of dorsolateral folds; (6) hindlimbs rather long and stout, tibio-tarsal articulation reaching to tip of snout when leg stretched alongside body, heels overlapping when thighs flexed at right angles to body axis; (7) toes nearly entirely webbed, webbing formula: I 0 – 0 II 0 –0–III 0– – 1–IV 1– – 0 V, webbing incurved between tips of toes; (8) tarsal fold present; (9) vomerine teeth distinct, arranged between internal nares; (10) internal vocal sac present in males; (11) no keratinized spines on body ventral surface of breeding males, only present on prepollex, fingers I and II, forelimbs strongly hypertrophied; (12) colour in life: dorsal surface yellowish brown with large dark brown blotches, back of head with a dark brown transverse band, edges of the upper and lower lips with some brown blotches; some individuals with a pale yellow vertebral stripe.

Etymology: The specific epithet yunkaiensis refers to the type locality of this species, the Yunkaishan National Nature Reserve, Guangdong, China.

Suggested common name: “Yunkai Spiny Frog” in English and “云开棘蛙 (yún kāi jí wā)” in Chinese.

 

Habitat of Quasipaa yunkaiensis sp. nov. in the Yunkaishan National Nature Reserve.

Photo by Shuo QI.

  

Shuo QI, Zhitong LYU, Hanming SONG, Haotian WANG, Zhuoyu LI, Youyu LI and Yingyong WANG. 2025. A New Species of the Genus Quasipaa (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from Guangdong, China. Asian Herpetological Research. 16(4); 319-330. DOI: doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2025.0031 [Nov 21, 2025]

  

 

The Yunkai Spiny Frog (Quasipaa yunkaiensis) is a newly described species discovered from the Yunkaishan Nature Reserve, Xinyi City, Guangdong Province, China. This species inhabits montane stream environments within evergreen secondary forest at elevations between 1 200–1 550 m. It is currently only known from its type locality. Although mito-nuclear discordance has been reported in several species of the genus Quasipaa, both mitochondrial and nuclear gene fragments consistently recover Q. yunkaiensis as a distinct evolutionary lineage. This new species was reported by Shuo QI et al. in this issue. This frog was drawn by Hanwen KANG and Timan YANG.

[Herpetology • 2021] Odorrana liboensis • A New Species of Odorous Frog Genus Odorrana (Anura: Ranidae) from Southern Guizhou Province, China

 

Odorrana liboensis 

Luo, S. Wang, Xiao, Y. Wang & Zhou, 2021

 https://cstr.cn/32242.14.j.cnki.ahr.200122 

 Researchgate.net/publication/351358154

Abstract

We describe Odorrana liboensis sp. nov., a new species from the Maolan National Nature Reserve, Libo County, Guizhou Province, China. Phylogenetic analyses based on DNA sequences of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, and ND2 genes supported the new species as an independent lineage, closely related to O. lipuensis. The uncorrected genetic distances between the 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA in the new species and its closest congener, O. lipuensis, were 6.06% and 5.19%, respectively. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological characters: (1) having medium body size, with the snout-vent length (SVL) of adult females approximately 1.2 times as long as males at 56.9 ± 1.0 (55.8–58.2 mm, n = 9) in females and 48.7 ± 1.2 (47.1–49.9 mm, n = 5) in males; (2) head length greater than width in males and females; (3) tympanum distinctly visible, greater than one-half the diameter of the eye; (4) eyes big and prominent, width of upper eyelid (UEW) approximately 3/4 of eye diameter (ED); (5) dorsolateral folds absent; (6) two metacarpal tubercles; (7) relative finger lengths: II < I < IV < III; (8) subarticular tubercles on fingers prominent: 1, 1, 2, 2; (9) one metatarsal tubercle; (10) tibiotarsal articulation reaching to between the eye and nostril when the leg is stretched forward; (11) toes with entire webbing to disks; (12) subarticular tubercles on toes prominent: 1, 1, 2, 3, 2; (13) dorsal surfaces of limbs with distinct brownish-black bands; (14) smooth, grass-green dorsum with irregular brown mottling; (15) venter smooth, lacking black spots; and (16) lacking pectoral spinules, lacking vocal sacs, and light white nuptial pad present on finger I in males. The new species is currently only known from the type locality.

Keywords: Taxonomy; morphology; Odorrana; Odorrana liboensis sp. nov.; karst cave; Guizhou

Morphological features of the live adult male holotype GZNU20180608004 of Odorrana liboensis sp. nov. and O. wuchuanensis.
(A) Dorsal view; (B) Ventral view; (C) Dorsolateral view; (D) Tadpole; (E) Type locality of Odorrana liboensis sp. nov. in June, 2018 (dry season);

(F) Dorsolateral view of O. wuchuanensis in life.

Odorrana liboensis sp. nov.  

Differential diagnosis. Odorrana liboensis sp. nov. is assigned to genus Odorrana based upon molecular phylogenetic analyses and the following morphological characters: (1) dorsum is mostly green; (2) tips of digits dilated, tapering, disks with circum-marginal grooves or lateroventral grooves, and vertical diameter longer than horizontal diameter in the disks; (3) supernumerary tubercle below the base of fingers III and IV; (4) feet fully webbed to disks, without tarsal fold; (5) the first finger thick and nuptial pad distinct and (6) dorsal skin smooth, dorsolateral folds absent or fine (Fei et al., 2009; Li et al., 2018a).

  

Etymology. The specific epithet “liboensis” is in reference to the type locality of the new species: Libo County, Guizhou Province, China. We propose the common English name “Libo Odorous Frog” and Chinese name “Li Bo Chou Wa ( 荔波臭蛙 )”. 

Distribution: Known only from the type locality, a cave in Maolan National Nature Reserve, Libo County, Guizhou Province, China, 715 m elevation. 

 

Tao LUO; Siwei WANG; Ning XIAO; Yali WANG and Jiang ZHOU. 2021. A New Species of Odorous Frog Genus Odorrana (Anura, Ranidae) from Southern Guizhou Province, China. Asian Herpetological Research. 12(4); 381-398. DOI: 10.16373/j.cnki.ahr.200122 [2021-12-25]

 https://cstr.cn/32242.14.j.cnki.ahr.200122

 Researchgate.net/publication/351358154_A_New_Species_of_Odorrana_from_Southern_Guizhou_Province_China

[Herpetology • 2025] Ablepharus todingensis • A New Species of Ablepharus (Sauria: Scincidae) from western Xizang, China

Ablepharus todingensis 

Guo, Wang, Tan, Wu & Che, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2025.0011

 

Abstract

The genus Ablepharus represents a morphologically diverse group of lizards, comprising approximately 19 species distributed across Asia. However, due to challenges in sample collection, the taxonomy and phylogeny of this genus remain poorly resolved. In this study, we identified and described a novel species of Ablepharus from western Xizang, China, through morphological analysis and molecular phylogenetics. Phylogenetic reconstruction based on mitochondrial DNA (ND2) sequences showed that the new species formed a strongly supported sister lineage with A. ladacensis and A. himalayanus, while exhibiting significant genetic divergence from all other congeners. In addition to its genetic distinctiveness, the new species can be characterized by a combination of the following morphological characters: (1) eyelids partially fused; (2) tympanum sunken; (3) supranasal scales absent; (4) prefrontals separated from each other; (5) supraoculars 4; (6) supralabials 7, 6th largest; (7) infralabials 6 or 7; (8) scale rows across neck and back 6; (9) scales encircling midbody 32; (10) midventral scales from last chinshield to precloaca 72-80; (11) subcaudals 110-125; (12) lamellae beneath 4th finger 13-16, beneath 4th toe 18-21; (13) body brownish-olive, devoid of spots, venter brick-red. This study highlights the underexplored species diversity within Ablepharus in China and provides new insights into the taxonomy and evolutionary relationships of the genus.

  taxonomy, phylogeny, lizard, new species, new record, Qinghai-Xizang Plateau 

Ventral view of body (A) and dorsal (B), ventral (C), and lateral (D) views of head of Ablepharus todingensis sp. nov. holotype (YBU 241521).

 General view of Ablepharus todingensis sp. nov. holotype (YBU 241521) in life.

Type locality habitat of Ablepharus todingensis sp. nov. in Toding Town, Zhada County, Xizang, China.

 

Peng Guo, Kai Wang, Songwen Tan, Yayong Wu and Jing Che. 2025. A New Species of Ablepharus (Sauria: Scincidae) from western Xizang, China. Asian Herpetological Research. DOI: doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2025.0011 [Sep 5, 2025]

[Herpetology • 2025] Alcalus tongbiguanensis • First Record of the Genus Alcalus (Anura: Ceratobatrachidae) and Describe a New Species from Yunnan, China

 

Alcalus tongbiguanensis Yu, Wu, Li, Wang & Che, 

in Yu, Wang, Chen, Li, Kilunda, Zhao, Y-y. Wu, Yang, Duan, Zuo, Zhang, Murphy, Y.h. Wu et Che, 2025. 

Tongbiguan Dwarf Mountain Frog | 铜壁关小山蛙  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2024.0035

Abstract

The anuran family Ceratobatrachidae is one of the most speciose groups of amphibians, but the geographic distributions of many genera and species await documentation. During the field survey of Tongbiguan Provincial Nature Reserve in southwestern Yunnan Province, China, at the China-Myanmar border region, we collected several frogs that resemble the genus Alcalus, which was previously known from Indochina only. Based on mitochondrial phylogeny, our newly collected specimens are sister to Alcalus fontinalis Boruah, Narayanan, Gerard, Das, and Deepak, 2023 from Northeast India, but it differs from the latter by a suit of characters, including in differences in body size, head length, snout length, tympanum diameter, eye diameter, forearm length, toe webbing formula, relative length of fingers and toes, and dorsal pattern and coloration. Herein, based on the integration of morphological and genetic data, we report the genus Alcalus from China for the first time and describe a new species from China-Myanmar border region. Our study further demonstrates that southern section of the Gaoligong Mountain has a rich diversity of amphibians that warrant continuous survey efforts. Future fieldwork in these mountains is needed to better understand and fully uncover the species richness in this border region.

Holotype (KIZ 053839) of Alcalus tongbiguanensis sp. nov. in life.
A: Lateral view; B: Lateral view of head; C: Ventral view; D: Ventral view of hand; E: Ventral view of foot; F: habitat.

 Photos by Zhongbin YU.

Alcalus tongbiguanensis sp. nov. Yu, Wu, Li, Wang & Che 

Diagnosis: 

Alcalus tongbiguanensis sp. nov. is assigned to the genus Alcalus by having a broad head, wrinkled skins, no vocal sacs, widely expanded toes discs, semi-aquatic microhabitat preferences, nuptial pads present and vocal sacs absent in males, outer metatarsal tubercles absent (Brown et al., 2015).

Alcalus tongbiguanensis sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners, namely A. baluensis ( Boulenger, 1896), A. fontinalis, A. mariae ( Inger, 1954), A. pullus ( Smith, 1921), A. rajae (Iskandar, Bickford, and Arifin, 2011) and A. sariba ( Shelford, 1905), by a combination of the following characters (Boulenger 1896; Boruah et al. 2023; Inger 1954; Iskandar et al., 2011; Shelford 1905; Smith 1921): (1) medium body-size (SVL 27.7–28.8 mm in two adult males, SVL 29.3–37.7 mm in seven adult females; Table 2); (2) reticulated ridges present on the skin, distinct on dorsal surfaces of head, body, and limbs, as well as on gular and chest, less prominent on abdomen and ...

Etymology: The new species name “tongbiguanensis” is derived from the type locality, Tongbiguan Provincial Nature Reserve, which has been a hot-spot for new species discovery in recent years. We suggest Tongbiguan Dwarf Mountain Frog as its English common name and “铜壁关小山蛙” (Pinyin: tóng bì guān xiǎo shān wā) as its Chinese common name. For the newly recorded genus, we recommend “小山蛙属” (xiǎo shān wā shǔ) as its Chinese common name.

Zhongbin YU, Kai WANG, Tianen CHEN, Ling LI, Felista Kasyoka KILUNDA, Haipeng ZHAO, Yayong WU, Shenpin YANG, Zhengpan DUAN, Anru ZUO, Dingcan ZHANG, Robert W. MURPHY, Yunhe WU and Jing CHE. 2025. First Record of the Genus Alcalus (Anura, Ceratobatrachidae) and Describe a New Species from Yunnan, China. Asian Herpetological Research. 16(2); 160 - 168. DOI: doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2024.0035 [May 27, 2025 ]

[Herpetology • 2024] Gloydius variegatus • One mountain, Two tigers: A New Species of Gloydius (Serpentes: Viperidae) from the upper Lancang Valley in Xizang, China, with comments on the diagnostic characters and evolution of the G. strauchi (Bedriaga, 1912) species complex

Gloydius variegatus 

Ren, Huang, Wu, Jiang & Li, 2024 

 

 DOI: doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2024.0059

 

Abstract

The Hengduan Mountains Region (HMR) in China, a globally significant biodiversity hotspot, has garnered attention for its potential to harbor cryptic species within the Asian pit viper genus Gloydius Hoge & Romano-Hoge, 1981. Based on comprehensive morphological comparisons and molecular phylogenetic analysis of the Gloydius strauchi complex, this study identified a previously unrecognized species of Asian pit viper. Discovered in the upper Lancang (Mekong) hot dry valley of Xizang, China, this species is geographically proximate to G. huangi but exhibits clear morphological distinctions from other members of the genus, representing the second Gloydius species identified along the upper Lancang River. We describe here this new species and highlight the significance of skull and hemipenis morphology, which were instrumental in its diagnosis and in resolving taxonomic boundaries and ambiguities within the G. strauchi complex. This study provides insights into the phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary history of this newly described species, enhancing our understanding of diversification patterns in this genus.

Color of Gloydius variegatus sp. nov. holotype in life, CIB 121711, adult female, from Qamdo, Xizang, China.
A: Dorsolateral view; B: Dorsal head view; C: Left side of head view; D: Lateral side of body view.

Photos by Jinlong REN. 

Color of Gloydius variegatus sp. nov. showing color of paratype in life, CIB 121712, adult male, from Qamdo, Xizang, China.
A: Dorsolateral view; B: Dorsal head view; C: Left side of head view; D: Lateral side of body view.

Photos by Jinlong REN. 

Gloydius variegatus sp. nov.

Comparison of type series of Gloydius variegatus sp. nov. showing color polymorphism.
A: Holotype, CIB 121711, adult female; B: Paratype, CIB 121712, adult male. Arrows indicate eye stripes.

Photos by Jinlong REN.  

Jin-Long Ren, Jun-Jie Huang, Wei Wu, Ke Jiang and Jia-tang Li. 2024.  One mountain, Two tigers: A New Species of Gloydius (Serpentes: Viperidae) from the upper Lancang Valley in Xizang, China, with comments on the diagnostic characters and evolution of the G. strauchi (Bedriaga, 1912) species complex. Asian Herpetological Research. DOI: doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2024.0059

[Herpetology • 2024] Oligodon zhangfujii • A New Species of Kukri Snake Genus Oligodon Fitzinger, 1826 (Serpentes: Colubridae) from Xizang, China

 Oligodon zhangfujii 

 Jiang, Wu, Huang, Ren, Gao, Lyu & L, 2024  

DOI: doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2024.0058

Abstract

A new species of the Kukri snake genus Oligodon is described from Mêdog County in the eastern Himalayas of China. The species, named Oligodon zhangfujii sp. nov., can be distinguished from all known congeners by a combination of the following morphological characteristics: (1) 17-17-15 dorsal scale rows; (2) six supralabials, third and fourth entering orbit; (3) one loreal present; (4) seven infralabials, first to fourth in contact with anterior chin shields; (5) 173 ventral scales and 47 pairs of subcaudal scales; (6) cloacal plate divided; (7) hemipenis single, shallowly bilobed, with large calcareous spines and a calyx area, sulcus spermaticus single; and (8) eight maxillary teeth. Phylogenetic analyses based on two mitochondrial genes revealed that this species occupies an independent phylogenetic position, distinct from the eight recognized species groups within the genus, and represents a sister taxon to the clade comprising the O. theobaldi and O. cinereus groups. The description is based on a single road-killed individual. As such, ecological data for the species remain sparse, underscoring the need for additional field surveys across the eastern Himalayan region.

Morphological features of adult male holotype CIB 121710 of  Oligodon zhangfujii sp. nov. as a fresh carcass.

Photos by Jun-Jie Huang.

Habitat of Oligodon zhangfujii sp. nov. in Beibeng Township, Mêdog County, Xizang, China. Photo by Ru-Xue Li. Inset on bottom right shows first observation of fresh road-killed specimen CIB 121710.

Photo by Di-Hao Wu.

Oligodon zhangfujii sp. nov.

Ke Jiang, Di-Hao Wu, Jun-Jie Huang, Jin-Long Ren, Zong-Yuan Gao, Zhi-Tong Lyu and Jia-tang Li. 2024. Description of A New Species of Kukri Snake (Serpentes: Colubridae: Oligodon) from Xizang, China. Asian Herpetological Research. DOI: doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2024.0058

[Herpetology • 2024] Scutiger wolong • A New Species of Scutiger (Anura: Megophryidae) from Sichuan, China, previously misreported as S. chintingensis

 

Scutiger wolong 

Lyu, Gao, Huang, Wu, D. Jiang, K. Jiang & Li, 2024

卧龙齿突蟾   ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2024.0049 

 

Abstract

Comprehensive surveys on the distribution of the endangered Chinting alpine toad (Scutiger chintingensis) were recently conducted, revealing important findings regarding its population characteristics. This study integrated morphological and molecular analyses to clarify the taxonomic status of these populations. Based on detailed morphological comparisons and phylogenetic analyses, the population from Wolong, Wenchuan County, Sichuan, China, is identified as a new species, which is formally described herein. The new species can be distinguished from all known congeners by a unique combination of following characteristics: (1) small body size, SVL 42.2–46.9 mm in adult males, SVL 54.3–56.3 in adult females; (2) vomerine ridges and vomerine teeth absent, maxillary teeth present; (3) internasal distance and interorbital distance relatively large; (4) subarticular tubercle absent on fingers and toes; (5) dorsal and lateral skin rough with densely-distributed horny spines in males, smooth and lacking black horny spines in females; (6) vocal sac absent in males; (7) pair of pectoral glands and pair of axillary glands present on chest in males, axillary gland about two-thirds pectoral gland in size; (8) in breeding males, pectoral glands and axillary glands covered by dense spines, belly rough with horny spines, nuptial spines present on dorsal and lateral surface of first and second fingers and inner side of third finger, dense spines on inner forelimb aligned, extending from wrist to near axilla. This study highlights the critical importance of accurate taxonomic identification, particularly for endangered species, as misidentifications can misguide subsequent biological research and conservation efforts.

Keywords: conservation, diversity, phylogeny, Scutiger wolong sp. nov., taxonomy

Morphological features of adult male holotype CIB 121683 of Scutiger wolong sp. nov. in life.
A: Dorsolateral view; B: Ventral view; C: Right hand; D: Right foot;
E: Close-up of right forelimb, showing black nuptial spines on fingers, large translucent spines on lower arm and inner upper arm, and small black spines on dorsolateral upper arm; F: Close-up of ventral surface, showing pectoral glands and axillary glands covered by black dense spines, rough belly rough with black horny spines, and black dense spines on inner forelimb.

Photos by Zhi-Tong Lyu.

Variations in Scutiger wolong sp. nov. in life.
A: Dorsolateral view of female paratype CIB 121686; B: Ventral view of female paratype CIB 121686;
C: Dorsolateral view of female paratype CIB 121685; D: Dorsolateral view of male paratype CIB 121684;
E: Dorsolateral view of male paratype CIB 121681; F: Dorsal view of male paratype CIB 121682.

Photos by Zhi-Tong Lyu.

Scutiger wolong sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific name wolong is used as a noun in apposition and refers to Wolong Town, the type locality of this species.  

 Common name: Wolong alpine toad (in English) 

 wò lóng chǐ tū chán (卧龙齿突蟾 in Chinese).

Zhi-Tong Lyu, Zong-Yuan Gao, Jun-Jie Huang, Di-Hao Wu, Dechun Jiang, Ke Jiang and Jia-tang Li. 2024. A New Species of Scutiger from Sichuan, China, previously misreported as S. chintingensis (Anura: Megophryidae). Asian Herpetological Research. DOI: doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2024.0049 

[Herpetology • 2024] Rana minuscula • A New Species of Rana (Anura: Ranidae) from Zhejiang, China based on morphological and molecular data

 

Rana minuscula 

B. Liu, Wang, Huang, X. Liu, Che & Yuan, 2024 

 

 www.sciengine.com/AHR/home 

姬林蛙  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2024.0022

Abstract

We described a new species of Rana (Anura: Ranidae) from Zhejiang, China, based on morphological and molecular analyses. The new species, Rana minuscula sp. nov. clusters with R. ulma, R. kobai and R. tsushimensis and can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: body size small, snout-vent length less than 40 mm in adults; dorsolateral fold narrow and slightly curved, extending from above temporal fold to groin, not connecting to posterior corner of eye; vocal sac absent; tibiotarsal articulation extends forward to anterior corner of eye; lateroventral grooves absent; nuptial pad present and divided into two groups: the larger part is nearly rectangular and close to the tip of finger I and the basal part is smaller and round.

Rana minuscula sp. nov. 
A-D: Male (Holotype, voucher number: SWU 0012284);
E–H: Female (Paratype, voucher number: SWU 0014003).

 Rana minuscula sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific name “minuscula” refers to this species having the smallest body size of Rana in China. We suggest “Lesser brown Frog” as its English common name, and “j ī lín wā (姬林蛙)” as its Chinese common name.

Habitat at the type locality of Rana minuscula sp. nov., Junhe (...; elevation 723 m a.s.l.), Pingnan, Longquan, southern Zhejiang, China.

 Baoquan Liu, Yufan Wang, Junkai Huang, Xiaolong Liu, Jing Che and Zhiyong Yuan. 2024. Description of A New Species of Rana (Anura: Ranidae) from Zhejiang, China based on morphological and molecular data.  Asian Herpetological Research. www.sciengine.com/AHR/home

 DOI: doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2024.0022

[Herpetology • 2024] Boulenophrys gaolanensis • A New Species of the Genus Boulenophrys (Anura: Megophryidae: Megophryinae) from Zhuhai, Guangdong, China

Boulenophrys gaolanensis

Song, H.-T. Wang, Qi, N. Wang & Y. Wang, 2024

高栏岛角 蟾 ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2024.0026

 

Abstract

In this work, we described a new species of the Asian horned toad, Boulenophrys gaolanensis sp. nov., based on the type series collected from Gaolan Island, Jinwan District, Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province, China. This new species is distinguished from all other congeners by a combination of morphological characters and the notable phylogenetic divergence. This discovery of new species in the understudied southwestern Pearl River Delta brings the total number of recognized Boulenophrys species to 68, with 63 found in China, and also highlights the need for further herpetological research and conservation on the understudied and ecologically vulnerable islands.

Keywords: Asian horned toads, Boulenophrys gaolanensis sp. nov., Gaolan Island, 11 Pearl River Delta, taxonomy

The male holotype of Boulenophrys gaolanensis sp. nov. (SYS a009225) in life:
dorsolateral view (A), ventral view (B), palmar surface of left hand (C), and plantar surface of left foot (D).

Photos by Shuo QI.

Figure 4. All paratypes of Boulenophrys gaolanensis sp. nov. in life.
Individuals: SYS a009235 (A), adult female; SYS a009236 (B), adult female;
SYS a009237 (C), adult female; and SYS a009238 (D), adult male.
Facets: (1) dorsolateral view, (2) ventral view, and (3) dorsal surface of finger I, showing nuptial pads and nuptial spines invisible.

Photos by Hanming SONG.

 Boulenophrys gaolanensis sp. nov.  

Etymology The specific epithet gaolanensis refers to the type locality of this species, the Gaolan Island.  

Suggested common name “Gaolan Island Horned Toad” in English and “高栏岛角 蟾 (gāo lán dǎo jiǎo chán)” in Chinese.

Han-Ming Song, Hao-Tian Wang, Shuo Qi, Ning Wang and Yingyong Wang. 2024. A New Species of the Genus Boulenophrys (Anura: Megophryidae: Megophryinae) from Zhuhai, Guangdong, China. Asian Herpetological Research. DOI: doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2024.0026